HEREFORD Races provided the appetiser for television viewers waiting for the Grand National last Saturday with the At the Races Red Button Betting Handicap Hurdle as the preceding race before the Aintree spectacular.

And they and the course spectators were treated to a comfortable victory by the 7/1 shot Norma Hill, ridden by David Dennis.

Always travelling strongly in the 14-runner race, Dennis had the Reg Hollinshead trained four-year-old close to the leader and, once they took the lead up at the third-last fight, the result was never in doubt. They cruised to a five-length success from Welsh Main who took runner-up spot on the run-in.

Dennis commented after his 39th win of the season: "I started off the year really wanting to beat last season's total of 35, so it's a case of mission accomplished in that direction."

Trainer Ferdy Murphy made the long trip from Middleham in North Yorkshire worthwhile with a win with his Underwriter, ridden by Keith Mercer, in the opening Maiden Hurdle. However, hopes for double with his runner Dolmur in the Conditional Jockeys' Novices Handicap Hurdle were thwarted by Sissinghurst Storm, ridden by Sam Thomas and trained by Robin Dickin.

Seemingly held by the northern raider over the final two fences, Sam Thomas refused to surrender and in a last-ditch effort he forced his mount up in the final few strides to take the honours by a neck.

Another successful Northern trainer was Scots Len Lungo who sent his L'Oiseau down to track to take the two-mile three-furlong Handicap Hurdle but only after giving his supporters heart failure on the run-in after slowing dramatically with the race won.